A 19-YEAR old man is fighting for his life in Southport & Formby District General Hospital after being viciously attacked in an eight-man brawl.

Daniel Golding is believed to have been attacked with a bat during the clash on Clarence Road, Birkdale.

Residents of the street described “absolute pandemonium” as two groups of males charged at each other in the early hours of Saturday morning, waking up many people living near the scene.

Police have arrested and released eight men on police bail pending further inquiries.

A nurse, who watched the chaotic scenes unfold from her bedroom window, said she felt sick after seeing Mr Golding lying on the floor.

She told the Midweek Visiter: “I wanted to go and help but you can’t these days, I feel really guilty about it.

“There was absolute pandemonium, with seven lads in a free-for-all all kicking and punching.

“One of them was shouting ‘Why did you use a weapon?’ as the boy lay on the floor.“You can get away with using your fists but to use weapons is something else. “He wasn’t moving at all, he was in a really bad state.”

Four males are believed to have jumped out of a Peugeot and set upon the other group after leaving a house party on Upper Aughton Road.

Another witness reported hearing one of the men shout: “We said no weapons! We said no weapons!”

Police suspect the fight could have been arranged in advance – with Clarence Road chosen as the battle ground.

An eyewitness added: “It was absolute madness.

“I heard they’d all been arguing at a house party on Upper Aughton Road. They were all really going for it, except for the lad on the floor. The car got smashed to pieces with a brick but four of them jumped in and sped away.”

Police were waiting for the driver of the getaway car at his Churchtown home after tracing the vehicle’s registration.

Officers have now called for witnesses to the attack to come forward.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “Officers were called out at 5.15am following reports of a disturbance on Clarence Road. A 19-year old man suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Southport & Formby District General Hospital.”

Landlord of The Blundell Arms, John O’Reilly, has distanced himself from rumours his pub was involved in the incident.

He is critical of police for parking their vehicles directly outside the Upper Aughton Road premises when conducting forensic investigations.

He said: “It looked really bad for business. What happened had absolutely nothing to do with the pub or our customers.”

Mr Golding’s condition was said to be “critical but stable” as the Visiter went to press.